Fitter Trainer

WHY THIS ROLE EXISTS

America's electric grid is in the middle of a historic build-out. New transmission lines, substations, highway corridors, and lighting infrastructure all ride on tapered tubular steel structures, and demand for the skilled people who build them is growing faster than the trade can supply. The constraint is not finding people; it is converting talented, mechanically inclined people into certified tapered-pole fitters quickly and safely.

The Fitter Trainer owns that conversion. This is a dedicated, hands-on teaching role, not a working-lead role with training bolted on: the Trainer's production is measured in certified fitters on the floor, not in poles fitted.

America's electric grid is in the middle of a historic build-out. New transmission lines, substations, highway corridors, and lighting infrastructure all ride on tapered tubular steel structures, and demand for the skilled people who build them is growing faster than the trade can supply. The constraint is not finding people; it is converting talented, mechanically inclined people into certified tapered-pole fitters quickly and safely.

The Fitter Trainer owns that conversion. This is a dedicated, hands-on teaching role, not a working-lead role with training bolted on: the Trainer's production is measured in certified fitters on the floor, not in poles fitted.

Under the direction of the Production Manager, the Fitter Trainer designs, delivers, and continuously improves MICA's fitter training pipeline: administering the New-Hire Fitter Assessment, running the 90-day Fitter Trainee program to C certification, upskilling C and B fitters toward their next classification, and maintaining the curriculum, standards, and records that make classification decisions objective and auditable. The Trainer is accountable for graduate quality, every trainee certified must produce fit-ups consistent with UT-passable welds and is compensated in part through graduation bonuses tied to trainee certification, quality, and retention (see companion document: Fitter Trainer Success Measurement & Reward Plan).

• High School Diploma or GED, plus a minimum of 5 years' fitting/fabrication experience; tapered tubular pole experience required.
• AFitter classification (or equivalent demonstrated proficiency at hire).
• 2+ years' experience training, mentoring, or leading shop employees preferred.
• Proficiency reading and interpreting blueprints and weld symbols; ability to teach both.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, Outlook) and ERP [Global Shop] for recordkeeping.
• Bilingual English/Spanish strongly preferred.

• Demonstrated ability to break complex fitup work into teachable steps and adjust methods when a trainee is not progressing.
• Knowledge of overhead and jib crane operation and rigging fundamentals; ability to certify trainees on crane use.
• Thorough knowledge of fitup hand tools, torches, grinders, and layout instruments.
• Knowledge of welding symbols, diagrams, and the downstream requirements of UTpassable welds.
• Objective, documented evaluation habits; comfortable failing a test piece that does not meet standard.
• Ability to schedule training coverage across 1st and 2nd shifts as needed within a standard 40 hour week.
• Successfully pass a background check (including criminal history), drug screen, physical, audiogram, and vision test.

• Administer and score the New Hire Fitter Assessment (tape measure & shop math, blueprint & weld symbols, practical fitup) using the published rubric; recommend Cdirect hire, Traineetrack hire, or decline.
• Partner with HR on assessment days, shop tours, and candidate experience; provide sameday scoring so offers go out within 48 hours.

• Run the structured 30/60/90day Fitter Trainee curriculum: basic drawings; seam location and numbering; twist/camber acceptance; shaft trimming and squaring; true centers and chalk lines; base/flange plate, vang, bracket, throughplate, and ground sleeve layout; solo basic pole shaft fitup; time management.
• Deliver 6090 day progressions (Aframe shafts, leveling plates, top connection plates; bridges, Hframes, big bases) when product is present, per the classification framework.
• Conduct and document weekly handson evaluations of each trainee, including twoway feedback on how training is going.
• Run cross training programs for welders and other shop employees transitioning into fitup.
• Coach C and B fitters preparing for their next classification test; schedule and proctor classification tests.

• Own the training curriculum, lesson materials, rubrics, and test bank; revise when drawings, products, or processes change.
• Maintain the individual training record for every trainee (goals, weekly evaluations, test scores, signoffs) in [Global Shop / HR system].
• Track and report the trainer scorecard monthly (certification rate, timetocertify, graduate firstpass quality,…